Hummingbirds flutter, peacocks unfurl their feathers. Automata capture the essence of tropical life | JAQUET DROZ

JAQUET DROZ

New Automata Collection
A Journey to Paradise with the "Tropical Bird Repeater"

Hummingbirds, peacocks, and dragonflies come to life with delicate movements in this exceptional piece from Jaquet Droz, featuring both automata and a minute repeater complication.

Text by KOIZUMI Yoko

Jaquet Droz introduces the "Tropical Bird Repeater," a new creation that continues the legacy of its automata watches first presented in 2012.

This automata is inspired by a scene from everyday tropical life. A continuously flowing waterfall is depicted with striking realism, while a hummingbird at the center commands attention with its presence. This hummingbird embodies an unprecedented level of delicate movement, beating its wings 40 times per second, captivating viewers with its lifelike agility.

A peacock fans and folds its tail, and at 3 o'clock, a toco toucan with an open beak quietly emerges from behind palm leaves. Three dragonflies at 9 o'clock dance elegantly, their wings coated with Super-LumiNova® for a mystical glow day and night. The "Tropical Bird Repeater" features a total of seven automata, each with four distinct stories lasting over 12 seconds.

The dial at 12 o'clock is crafted from black onyx. The automata's backdrop is hand-engraved and painted, utilizing mother-of-pearl. On the sides of the 18K red gold case and the lugs, animal motifs are hand-engraved, adorning the creatures of paradise.

The newly developed RMA89 movement incorporates not only automata but also a minute repeater that chimes the time. With a long power reserve of 60 hours, these mechanisms are housed within a case measuring 47mm in diameter and 18.95mm in thickness. The case back features a "Numerus Clausus" engraving, signifying a limited collection, and allows a view of the beautifully finished movement.

Jaquet Droz maintains a corporate philosophy of nurturing and preserving such specialized artisanal skills by bringing these craftspeople in-house. Watchmaking is a culture that has been carefully protected in their country. The "Tropical Bird Repeater" will be produced in a limited edition of just eight pieces worldwide, a nod to Jaquet Droz's symbolic number.